Survival (Fourtris)

Chapter 16

-TOBIAS-

"Ah, Four, Tris." Harrison said. We had arranged to meet him outside the Hub before the ceremony had begun. He sticks out his hand in a friendly manner and I take it.

"Harrison." I say, whilst getting accustomed to the dauntless greeting.

"I thought I would run you through the plan once more before it all starts, and, of course, to get your answer Tris." he says, directing his gaze to Tris. We didn't really have time to talk about it this morning, as we woke late, our body's being relient on getting awoken by others. I could only hope Tris has come to a sensible conclusion.

" Now, I have spoken to the government and we have agreed to announce your names, and your fellow instructors at the start of the ceremony leaving you enough time to take an earlier train and get to the roof. Four, I want you and Christina waiting by the net and Tris, you and Uriah will wait on the roof. There will be people waiting to take the names of the initiates and once all have jumped you will take them on the tour of the compound. " Harrison tells us, " unfortunately, I can't plan ahead of that as we don't know how many initiates there will be. " he motions for us to follow him as we start making out way up the stairs.

" I believe there is one more thing to cover. Tris, do you have an answer for me?" I tence. Naturally I don't want Tris to take the leadership position, I don't want her throwing herself into harms way and become reckless once more. It's fair to say Tris doesn't have the best way of mourning, but I want to let her make the decision herself, almost to solidify my trust in her.

"I'll do it."

+ + +

-TRIS-

"Christina Bostock."

I watch as Christina gives her sister one last hug, and her mother one last kiss on the cheek. Last for a while at least. She walks to the centre stage and takes up the knife in her hand, stealing one last look at her family before letting the blood drip on to the coles. Just as last year, cheers and stomps come from the dauntless surrounding us, although instead of joining the croud she slips through the side door.

"Uriah Pedrad."

Uriah gets up from the seat behind me, rustling Tobias' hair and kissing both his mom and Zeke on the cheek, which Zeke instantly wipes away and makes a face, before jogging down the steps. Just as Cristina his blood drops on the hot coles before him, before taking the side door.

There's an uncertain silence from the new Erudite leader, Melissa Butler, as she reads over the list of names again.

"Four." she says finally. Tobias gives me a kiss on the forehead before following the lead of the others. He examines the knife briefly, then runs it over his palm. Even from my seat I see the boold pooling in his palm. He gives me a reassuring look before forming a fist and letting drops of blood sizzle in the silence. He slips. Through the same side door, glancing at me before closing it once more.

"Tris Prior."

Zeke gives me a pat on the shoulder and Shauna offers me a smile before I walk onto the stage. Even the dauntless are silent, which is unusually chilling. I look at my reflection, turning the knife in my hand. I dig it into my palm, going slightly deeper than I should, just like last time. I cup my palm to avoid blood dripping anywhere unnecessary, before bringing it over the bowl with dauntless flames imprinted on the front. One squeeze and there was numerous drops of blood dripping from my hand. The sizzling of the coles over ran the silence until there were once again by cheers and stopping feet. Relief runs through me and I start to make my way through the same door Tobias went through minutes ago, slipping through unnoticed. Christina, Uriah and Tobias are waiting behind it.